The Winter Dew Tour announces women’s ski contests

On the heels of the IOC endorsing ski halfpipe in its bid to be an Olympic event, more good news comes out of the ski world today.

Alli Sports has officially announced women’s ski halfpipe and slopestyle as full-fledged events at both the Breckenridge and Snowbasin winter Dew Tour stops.

“We are committed to building women’s freeskiing in the Dew Tour and this is one of the ways we’re doing that,” said Chris Pyrbylo, Vice President of Events for Alli Sports and General Manager of Summer and Winter Dew Tours. “I think we’re getting to a spot where everyone, including the athletes, is happy with the progress and the situation.”

The women’s events will not be eligible for Dew Cup competition as they will not be competing in the Killington event. However, the two stops will incorporate full fields with prelims and finals, prize money and television coverage, the details of which are still being determined.

“This is something that we’ve needed for a long time,” said Jen Hudak, winner of the Dew Tour halfpipe event, last year’s only women’s Dew Tour ski event. “This allows new girls to have opportunities to be involved in our sport and that’s how and when we will see progression. It re-ignites the flame.”

In addition to the news of the Dew Tour adding women, Jen Hudak has some news of her own. She has officially inked a sponsorship deal with Paul Mitchell, significant because Paul Mitchell was influential in helping fund and support the addition of women’s skiing to the Dew Tour through their partnership with Alli.

“Paul Mitchell is an amazing company that supports a lot of good causes,” said Hudak. “It’s great to be involved with a company that has a scope beyond the ski industry.”

Registration for the Dew Tour opened yesterday. Ladies, get to steppin’.